Sticking out one's neck is never good for diplomacy or family relations! My father has a cousin who is the nicest darn person, but whose political beliefs are, one presumes, as opposed to my own as possible. I hate the thought of offending this person, I hate sticking my head up and causing discord, but this issue is too important to me. So here is the text of an email I just sent to the American Family Association. If you email me I'll send you a copy of the email I sent to our Governor in which I develop some of these themes a bit more...

Hi,

I oppose your position on gay marriage. No surprise, I'm liberal and live in Northern California.

But I figured it might be interesting to let you know the depths of my feelings.

I personally _strongly_ believe that those who are currently opposed to gay marriage are the moral equals to those who promoted segregation just a few years ago.

Now of course I don't expect to pursuade you to my view, but what is the harm in communicating?

So as strong as your views on the issue are, mine are just as strong. I strongly believe that the 14th amendment demands 'equal protection.'

I believe with all my heart and soul that this includes, in fact requires, civil recognition of gay marriage.

And to reiterate, it is my belief that those who oppose gay marriage today are equal in their level of malevolent evil as were segregationists just a few years back.

And yes, I mean big 'E,' Satan speaking from within, Evil.

Of course you can, and probably will, dismiss me as misguided or possessed or whatever, but that diminishes not the depth of my feelings.

So please remember that your views are opposed by many with the same depth of feeling as you hold for your own values.

Regards,
Rich Gibson,